The position of the labiate process in the diatom genusSkeletonema

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Abstract
The labiate process is widely found in centric diatoms and some pennate diatoms, and its placement has seemed conservative in most taxa. However, in Skeletonema, the labiate process has been observed both near the margin and near the centre of the valve. The present observations suggest that the position of the labiate process is controlled by the position of the valve in the colony. The end cells are heterovalvate, with the end valve having the more centrally located labiate process. Thus the length of chain is controlled by the production of specialized valves. The presence and placement of the labiate process still appears to be a conservative taxonomic feature.